Disclosed is an incendiary compound comprising spherical zirconium, titanium, or hafnium powder having an average grain size of 50 to 250 .mu.m as well as a thermosetting or thermoplastic micronized organic binder which is added to the powder at a quantity of less than 1 percent by weight. The incendiary compound is fastened in the projectile or warhead by pressing and then thermally treating the same in order to activate crosslinking of the thermosetting binder or melt the thermoplastic binder.